I have broken my wrist! So this month, I’m taking a little easy because my normal format of interviewing someone is just a bit to labour intensive. And I need to rest. But don’t worry this episode still lots of fun with tons of amazing listening.
We listen to Syzygys, Amps for Christ, Chris Newman, Cath Bloom and Loren Conners, Matana Roberts, UT, Asa-Chang and Junray, Asmara All Stars, Mouse on Mars and Lee Scratch Perry, Picastro, Reveries, and Robert Ashley.
Syzygys: Two Japanese women who play violin and keyboards and use a 43 pitch octave system developed by Harry Partch. “Fauna Grotesque” is beautiful and makes me feel woozy.
Amps for Christ: I don’t know too much about these guys, but they make some wonderful dirty synth music.
Chris Newman: Beautiful and grotesque parlour songs for voice and piano. I don’t understand most of the lyrics on this one.
Cath Bloom and Loren Conners: Beautiful voices and a weird combination with lots of slide guitar and ghostliness.
Matana Roberts: A track recorded in the New York subway – what a fantastic way to record improvised saxophone.
UT: What rocking no wave! Thanks, Martin Arnold for the recommendation.
Asa-Chang and Junray: Percussion that seems to trigger all kinds of other sounds including voices – a bit puzzling how it’s put together.
Asmara All Stars: Such a light touch and so beautifully groovy. Feels like this song has been going forever and will never end, and it doesn’t need to.
Mouse on Mars and Lee Scratch Perry: Like a summer breeze. I’d love to hear Mouse on Mars do more with guitars.
Picastro: Liz, a friend from Toronto. What a voice and what unusual phrasing.
Reveries: willie Nelson’s any arms won’t do as interpreted by one of the most unusual and beautiful bands. Reveries perform covers with speakers in their mouths so each musician is filtered through another musicians oral acoustics. Plus, they’ve got nose flute and street-sweeper bass. Now this might sound absurd to you, but this is not done with a wink at the audience – there is nothing goofy about this music. It is all rich.
Robert Ashley: The second part of the made for TV opera Perfect Lives, “The Supermarket.” I just love this and always go back to it cheerful and weird.
